Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/tvltxt/SPAIN.TVL

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 5KB | 100 lines

Spain - Consular Information Sheet
April 28, 1994

Country Description:  Spain is a developed and stable democracy with a
modern economy.  Tourist facilities are widely available.

Entry Requirements:  A passport is necessary but a visa is not required for
tourist stays of up to three months; visitors may subsequently apply for an
extension of stay at a Spanish immigration office.  For further information
concerning entry requirements for Spain, travelers may contact the Embassy
of Spain at 2375 Pennslyvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037, tel. (202)
728-2330, or the nearest Spanish consulate in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los
Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, or San Juan.

Medical Facilities:  Good medical care is available.  U.S. medical insurance
is not always valid outside the United States.  Travelers have found that in
some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage
has proved to be useful.  Further information on health matters can be
obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers
hotline on [phone].

Crime Information:  Spain has a very low rate of violent crime.
Nevertheless, minor crimes such as pickpocketing, robbery, and theft from
cars are a problem, and are often directed against unwary tourists.  Thieves
often attempt to distract their victims by squirting mustard on their
clothing, asking directions on the street, or otherwise diverting their
attention from an accomplice.  Thefts of small items like radios, luggage,
cameras, briefcases, and even cigarettes from parked cars are a common
problem.  The American Embassy in Madrid has issued a notice to U.S.
citizens stating that it frequently receives reports of roadside thieves
posing as "good Samaritans" to persons experiencing car and tire problems.
The thieves typically attempt to divert the driver's attention by pointing
out a mechanical problem and then steal items from the vehicle while the
driver is looking elsewhere.  The problem is particularly acute with
vehicles rented at Madrid's Barajas Airport.  The Embassy notice advises
drivers to be extremely cautious about accepting help from anyone other than
a uniformed Spanish police officer or Civil Guard.  Travelers who accept
unofficial assistance are advised to protect their valuables by keeping them
in sight or locking them in the vehicle.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately
to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.   U.S.
citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip
Abroad" for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey.  It is available
from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in
which they are traveling.  In Spain, penalties for possession, use, or
dealing in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail
sentences and fines.

Terrorist Activities:  Civil disorder in Spain is rare.  Although a few
small terrorist groups, including ETA (Basque separatists) and GRAPO (a
Marxist group), are occasionally active, their efforts are primarily
directed against police, military, and other Spanish government targets.
Americans have not been targets of these attacks.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register in the Consular Section at the
U.S. Embassy or Consulate may obtain updated information on travel and
security within Spain.

Embassy and Consulate Locations:  The U.S. Embassy in Madrid is located at
Serrano 75; telephone [phone].

There are U.S. Consulates in:

Barcelona, at Paseo Reina Elisenda 23-25, telephone [phone]; and in

Bilbao, at Lehendakari Aguirre 11-3, telephone [phone].

There are also Consular Agencies in the following locations:

Malaga, at Centro Comercial "Las Rampas", Fase 2, Planta 1, Locales  12-G-7
and 12-G-8, Fuengirola, telephone [phone], hours 10:00 a.m. to 1:00
p.m.;

La Coruna, at Canton Grande 16-17, telephone [phone], hours 10:00
a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;

Las Palmas, at Frachy y Roca 5-5', No. 13, telephone [phone], hours
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.;

Palma de Mallorca, at Av. Jamime 111, 26 Entresuelo, 2-H-1 (97), telephone
(34-971) 725-051, hours 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.;

Seville, at Paseo de Las Delicias 7, telephone [phone], hours 8:30
a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m to 4:30 p.m.;

Valencia, at Cl. de La Paz 6-5, Local 5, telephone [phone], hours
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

No. 94-064

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated June 11, 1993, to add
information on crime.